Washington (CNN) - CNN has learned that Republicans plan to try to repeal the health care law almost immediately after taking control of the House, setting the stage for an early confrontation with President Obama.

House GOP sources tell CNN that they will unveil repeal legislation Monday night, even before they claim the majority Wednesday. Then, on Friday, Republicans will hold a critical procedural vote – the first step towards passing the repeal. A final House vote will likely take place next Wednesday.
Republicans have said for some time the House would take up repealing health care, a top GOP campaign issue, during the first month of the new Congress, but up to now have not revealed exactly when. Regardless, the repeal has little chance of passing the Senate.

Republicans say they decided to bring it up this soon to quickly respond to voters' frustration with the health care law, which Republicans argue is hurting the economy.

"Obamacare is a job killer for businesses small and large, and the top priority for House Republicans is going to be to cut spending and grow the economy and jobs," said Brad Dayspring, spokesman for incoming House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-VA.

"Further, Obamacare failed to lower costs as the president promised that it would, and does not allow people to keep the care they currently have if they like it. That is why the House will repeal it next week," he said.

The fact that this will be taken up by the full House so soon without committee hearings will likely draw scorn from Democrats, since Republicans have pledged to make the House more open and transparent.

But, GOP sources insist the health care law has been litigated for two years, and say that they do intend to conduct health care hearings. Along with legislation for repeal will be instructions for key House committees to hold hearings on what new health care law should replace it.

Because House Republicans will have such big numbers in their new majority, they likely have the votes to pass the health care repeal. But Republicans admit the repeal will almost surely die in the Senate, where Democrats maintain control.

Given that reality, Republicans say their long term strategy for doing away with the health care law is to try to use Congress' power of the purse to choke funding and make it hard for the administration to implement the law.

Threats of a health care reform repeal by House Republicans did not appear to be rattling the White House.

An aide pointed out that Democrats still control the Senate and it appears highly unlikely that a repeal would pass in that chamber. In addition President Obama could use his veto pen.

Nonetheless, the White House is planning to push back. "We're going to defend the bill [law] and continue to stress all the benefits that are going into effect right now," said the aide.

And White House spokesman Reid Cherlin said, "We're confident about defending the law."

Meanwhile Senate Democratic leaders, anticipating this House Republican move, sent a letter Monday to incoming House Speaker John Boehner warning that repealing the health care law would take away "popular consumer protections that help middle class Americans," including fixing the so-called Medicare "donut hole," which caused higher prescription drug costs for seniors.

"Taking this benefit away from seniors would be irresponsible and reckless at a time when it is becoming harder and harder for seniors to afford a healthy retirement," wrote the Senate Democratic leaders.

soundoff(228 Responses)

Vortex100

I was able to add my 20-year-old daughter, whose employer refuses to provide any health care insurance, to my exact same health care plan I've always had for only an extra $18 per month. What a deal! There is no problem with this new health care law that I can see. Her insurance risk is spread amongst the hundreds of thousands of others on my plan and she is getting full coverage for a tiny, tiny fraction of what it would have cost to get her own insurance by herself. What's not to like?

January 3, 2011 06:44 pm at 6:44 pm |

billy

The economy and jobs are the main items the voters said in the past election. Stop wasting time and stalling with this go nowhere attempt to repeal the health care plan. Stick to your campaign promise and work to fix the top two items mentioned above. Time to "Show and Tell" GOP. Then you can proceed on the lesser items!!

January 3, 2011 06:47 pm at 6:47 pm |

David Y

The healthcare bill is like a radioactive football. It is so toxic that whoever plays it, gets burned. The Dems got burned this past November for enacting it, and the GOP will be burned in the next round for attempting (futilely) to repeal it.

January 3, 2011 06:47 pm at 6:47 pm |

Rick A

Didnt the repus vehemently criticize Nancy Pelosi when allowed votes to proceed that would never pass the Senate? The repus aren't a changing anything. All those who voted for these folks ought to call and shame these new fools of the Congress. Shame, Shame, Shame. CNN uses the word Bold? Shame on CNN, too. This is politics at it's worse.

January 3, 2011 06:48 pm at 6:48 pm |

G-nO-P

Someone needs to tell the GOP what they have been SCREAMING ABOUT for 2 Years .... Its about JOBS... I don't want to hear a SINGLE REPUBLICAN preach about the Deficit if he Voted for that last TAX BILL >>>>> just amazing

January 3, 2011 06:51 pm at 6:51 pm |

Anonymous

What amazes me is the fact that people cannot see the connection between healthcare, banking, jobs and well-being. Complaints are made about mandatory heath insurance but what about mandatory care when people without insurance show up in the ER. Moreover, banking regulations particularly as thery pertain to credit cards certainly have an impact on personal finances. Can you fathom why the people who cn least afford it are stuck with the highest rates?

January 3, 2011 06:54 pm at 6:54 pm |

John

They have nothing to lose by pulling this stunt and all to gain. Their efforts will not get past the Senate or the President's Veto so they know the law will not change, yet they can tell their constituents that they tried their best and if you only vote us into total control in 2012 then we will be able to do what we want – and we know what that would look like. In the mean time they will whine that they will be relegated to smaller changes if any at all. Having the Health Care Bill repealed would be the worst quagmire for the Republican politicians and they know it. They would get saddled with the responsibility of not providing and not passing a better plan to get health care under control and that would spell doom for them in 2012. This way they get to have their cake and eat it too. Past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior so are we surprised?

January 3, 2011 06:56 pm at 6:56 pm |

ED FL

The GOP does NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENTS VETO nor enough power to sway the Senate. You Goper's can go over to the California reps Issa whose name spelled backwoods is more appropriate then his rhetoric.

January 3, 2011 06:56 pm at 6:56 pm |

Len

Why are so many of you upset. Either you did not vote or do not care. The Republicans said they would do this. But Dum Americans voted for them anyway. They listen to the conservative pundits who told untruths about the healthcare bill. So now we will suffer, 32 million americans without healthcare, seniors will be paying more for needed drugs, preexsisting conditions will not be covered, and much much more......we are not a very educated society.....we get what we voted for....they will cut all kinds of programs for those who need them most...but will continue to extend tax cuts for businesses, and the rich. We forget we tried that under the Bush administration and it did not work.....again, we are not very smart....good luck to all...we deserve what we get.

January 3, 2011 07:00 pm at 7:00 pm |

FactCheck

I'm not surprised that the Republicans would stoop this low not am I surprised that there are still fools out there who cheer them on.

January 3, 2011 07:00 pm at 7:00 pm |

Tom

Hearings? Isn't this what they did last time they took over something with a Democrat in office? Spend tons of tax payer money, waste tons of tax payer time, just to figure out if someone lied about getting a bj. Guess there still won't be change.

January 3, 2011 07:01 pm at 7:01 pm |

sarcasm specialist

It's a good thing legislators accomplished so much at the end of the last session. It left them with nothing better to do then waste time to open the new session.

January 3, 2011 07:04 pm at 7:04 pm |

AbovetheFray

I honestly didn't think the Rethugs would be stupid enough to go after HC Reform so soon – they are showing contempt for what the voters sent them there to do – CREATE JOBS and get the economy moving. Based on the latest economic info, looks like Obama and the Dems got us out of the ditch and on the right path – we can only the new House doesn't screw it up before they get thrown out on their backsides in 2012.

As for their suicidal attempt to repeal HC reform, all I can say to them is......DON"T TOUCH MY OBAMACARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 3, 2011 07:08 pm at 7:08 pm |

ohno

Business as usual for the GOP. Little boys that have been given power that they cannot handle. I think that the only American People that they listen to are the wealthy. Once again they are showing their true colors and provomg that they do not believe that all people are created equal.

January 3, 2011 07:09 pm at 7:09 pm |

MS

They care more about getting back at democrats than creating jobs. Hey idiots! Ever heard of a filibuster? Or a Veto? You have? So then why are you wasting our time?

January 3, 2011 07:10 pm at 7:10 pm |

red

Thank you for my death sentence via the "Big INS CO" and ty to my granddaughters peditrician for making the 4 star ins rating more important than her being able to hear. I just hope it never happens to them or their families. I hope the INS comanies treat you with the highest possible care unlike they treat the rest of us.

January 3, 2011 07:11 pm at 7:11 pm |

NauticalMan

I suppose repealing the Obama health care plan would be ok, as the Republicans can substitute the plan they came up with in the eight years President Bush was in charge. Which was, um, hmmm, well actually we did not come up with anything other than trying to privatize Social Security. Too bad that did not pass, as I am sure it would have worked out well during the long market crash. Maybe Sarah Palin will work out for ya in the next election... Please, please nominate her.....

January 3, 2011 07:15 pm at 7:15 pm |

Scott

Every one of these statements is an absolute lie:

"Obamacare is a job killer for businesses small and large, and the top priority for House Republicans is going to be to cut spending and grow the economy and jobs," said Brad Dayspring, spokesman for incoming House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-VA.

"Further, Obamacare failed to lower costs as the president promised that it would, and does not allow people to keep the care they currently have if they like it. That is why the House will repeal it next week," he said.

January 3, 2011 07:17 pm at 7:17 pm |

Death Panel Sarah

I would like to see a law passed that makes all congressmen show the proof of everything they say about a bill!!
These lies have to stop!!!

January 3, 2011 07:24 pm at 7:24 pm |

ShellzandCheeze

It befuddles me that people voted the Rep. back in as majority - would we expect any less from them? Honestly, these guys' are scum.

January 3, 2011 07:25 pm at 7:25 pm |

Dave

So, the first order of business for the GOP majority is to demonstrate just how arrogant they really are. It's nothing more than grandstanding and pure partisanship. Then again, that's all the these inept dolts are good at.

January 3, 2011 07:26 pm at 7:26 pm |

Larry

That's right boys ...

Start the year off, wasting more taxpayer money, on a NON issue ...

Just to prove some political point

What morons ... how come the American people can not simply fire these bums for dereliction of duty

January 3, 2011 07:27 pm at 7:27 pm |

seriously???

"Further, Obamacare failed to lower costs as the president promised that it would, and does not allow people to keep the care they currently have if they like it. That is why the House will repeal it next week,"..... WHAT A LOAD OF GARBAGE!!

More lies and more wasting America's time. This Republican congress is going to be a joke.

January 3, 2011 07:28 pm at 7:28 pm |

Patrick from Minnesota

So they're going to vote for it's repeal in three days? Isn't that shoving something down the throats of Americans?

January 3, 2011 07:28 pm at 7:28 pm |

Audrey Fryer

What a waste of taxpayers dollars. Even if they pass a vote it isn't going to get passed by the Senate or the President.